Hot topics in the Senate
Week two: Jan. 19 through Jan. 23
MONDAY
Agriculture & Rural Economic Development, SHR 3, 10 a.m.
* SB 5002 - Creating the Washington heritage livestock and poultry breed recognition program.
* SB 5004 - Creating a mobile custom farm slaughtering unit loan program.
* SB 5005 - Creating a program to certify and market certain cattle from Washington as either "natural beef cattle" or "natural grass-fed beef cattle."
Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection, SHR 4, 10 a.m.
* SB 5051 - Creating an energy efficiency worker training program.
Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1, 1:30 p.m.
The recommendations of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) Work Group and the Achievement Gap studies.
Economic Development, Trade & Innovation, SHR 3, 1:30 p.m.
Work session on federal stimulus funds and the state capital budget
Ways & Means, SHR 4, 3:30
- Public testimony on the Governor's budget proposal.
TUESDAY
Note: no committee hearings will be held on Tuesday morning due to the Presidential Inauguration.
Ways & Means, SHR 4, 3:30
* Public testimony on the Governor's budget proposal.
WEDNESDAY
PRESS CONFERENCE – Senate Majority Caucus Room, 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. (tentative time): Senate Democrats unveil their plans for early savings in the 2007-09 budget
Environment, Water & Energy, SHR 4, 3:30 p.m.
* Public hearing on Senate utility ratepayer protections package: SB 5055, SB 5072, SB 5290
THURSDAY
MEDIA AVAILABILITY – Office of Sen. Lisa Brown, LEG 307, 3:30 p.m.
Sen. Lisa Brown hosts her weekly media availability
Early Learning & K-12 Education, SHR 1, 10 a.m.
The recommendations of the Basic Education Finance Task Force.
Economic Development, Trade & Innovation, SHR 3, 10 a.m.
Work Session on manufacturing
Government Operations & Elections, SHR 2, 3:30 p.m.
* SB 5016 - Modifying when a special election may be held.
* SB 5017 - Eliminating the requirement that auditors send a ballot or an application to receive a ballot to inactive voters.
* SB 5098 - Concerning ballot title information.
* SJR 8202 - Relating to the constitutional provisions regarding initiatives and referendums.
* SB 5029 - Recodifying and making technical clarifications to campaign funding and disclosure laws.
Labor, Commerce & Consumer Protection, SHR 4, 3:30 p.m.
* Public hearing on the Governor’s proposal for economic stimulus through the unemployment insurance program.
FRIDAY:
Environment, Water & Energy, SHR 4, 8 a.m.
* Possible changes to utility emissions performance law.
* Solar energy [S-0701.1].
Higher Education & Workforce Development, SHR 3, 1:30
Work Session on the effect of the budget situation on higher education enrollments